Governor Charles Soludo of Anambra State has called for a significant reduction in Nigeria's governance costs. Speaking at a special edition of The Platform, an event organized by The Covenant Nation to promote national development, Soludo lamented that despite Nigeria's financial struggles, government and elected officials continue to live lavishly, ignoring the plight of the masses.

Soludo suggested that political officeholders should be placed on the national minimum wage to help curb the developing crisis. He highlighted the disparity between the ruling class and ordinary Nigerians, who are facing severe poverty and hunger, while officials display extravagant lifestyles.

“Let’s be honest with Nigerians. The country is very poor, yet the lifestyle of government officials does not reflect this reality, especially with the ostentatious public displays,” Soludo stated. “The poor are hungry and impatient. We must not aggravate their frustration with our insensitivity. I agree with Reverend Father Mbaka that elected governors should also earn the minimum wage. It’s important for us to experience the reality of ordinary citizens.”

Soludo revealed that he has not received any salary since assuming office in Anambra and has donated his earnings to the state. He emphasised that this gesture is symbolic, meant to signal the need for officials to acknowledge the country's dire financial situation.

He called for an end to wasteful spending in governance, stressing that elected officials must remember their duty to the public trust. Soludo proposed a new code of conduct for public officers, noting that the federal government's projected revenue amounts to about N6,160 per Nigerian per month. For most states, except Lagos and a few others, revenues are less than N3,000 per resident per month.

“These figures reflect the funds available to provide infrastructure, service debt, pay salaries and pensions, and build schools. Every instance of wasteful spending squanders the shares meant for citizens. Once we lose sight of our responsibility to the public trust, society faces irreversible decline,” Soludo warned.